ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon said his team will take some time to find its "chemistry" after grafting out a gritty two-point win over the Swans in a match where both teams could manage only 12 goals between them.

"It's like a relationship, chemistry takes time, doesn't it, unless you fall in love. I think our boys are working through their relationship," Lyon said after the game.

Lyon accepted the win was "ugly" but paid tribute to his young defence and said there was "a lot to like about our summer and a round-one win, really".

"There were positives but we need to regroup quickly … and play more direct, quicker footy and keep building. Four tight games, four games under a goal (in a row), so we must be doing something right under pressure situations."

Lyon paid tribute to Clinton Jones, who was crunched taking a mark in the final minutes but was still able to pass to ex-Swan Adam Schneider, who slotted the game-winning goal. "I think it was pretty critical. You have every right not to take that mark and have that goal kicked."

Sydney had its chances to win in the final quarter but Nick Davis and Jarred Moore both missed crucial shots in the dying minutes. "The Swans dug in and made an enormous contest," Lyon said. "I really thought it was one-on-one footy, really hard after half-time …"

Both sides escaped the match injury-free, with Xavier Clarke running out the game after limping from the ground in the first quarter after twisting his right knee in a tackle.